We all love giving our dogs a treat, right alongside belly rubs and using a high-pitched “who’s a good boy” voice that we all fall into. You may even have a secret language with your dog or become your most nurturing self around them.
Yet of course, as an owner, we need to be more than just a friend. If we could, most people would give their dogs a treat at all moments of the day, just for being cute.
However, when you start thinking about it, considering how often you’re reaching for the treat jar, how big each treat is, or if that handful of snacks you tossed during training counts as part of dinner, you may wonder if you’re doing your best.
Most owners just want to make their dogs happy, without overdoing it. It’s a good place to start! So, knowing how many treats is “too many” or if timing matters (it does) is a bit trickier than it looks at first glance.
Now, you may have heard the classic “treats shouldn’t be more than 10% of your dog’s diet” line, which sounds reasonable but it’s hard to calculate, and if you’ve a 15-pound terrier or a 90-pound lab who seems like he could eat ten meals and still be hungry, then balancing this isn’t easy. Some dogs won’t take kindly to seeing their siblings be treated and not them, as ever.
In this post, we’ll explore the best approach to treating your dog, as a warm, loving, but ultimately responsible owner.
How Many Treats Can You Actually Give In A Day?
There’s no perfect, always suitable answer here because dogs vary so much in size, energy level, age, and diet. A 5-pound Chihuahua doesn’t burn anywhere near the calories of a fully grown Husky, so their bodies handle snacks very differently. That’s where the 10% rule we mentioned above comes in.
What it means is the total number of calories your dog eats in treats each day shouldn’t be more than 10% of their total daily calorie intake. So if your dog eats 600 calories a day in meals, you’re aiming for no more than 60 treat calories per day. Not on top of the 600, but included within it.
You’ll usually find calorie counts on both dog food and dog treat packages, although sometimes you have to squint a little to find the numbers. If your dog’s food says something like “364 kcal/cup,” just read that as 364 calories per cup, and use a standard measurer for it, with no extra math needed. Then you can do a quick calculation based on how much you’re feeding daily, and work backwards from there to figure out how many snack calories are okay.
Why This Matters More Than You Think
It’s very easy to go over that 10% line, especially during training or if your dog’s one of those face-you-can’t-say-no-to types. With a couple of soft jerky strips, a dental chew, or maybe a bit of cheese while you’re cooking, you’ll find it can add up fast.
Because most treats aren’t nutritionally balanced (they’re treats, not meals), you may accidentally start to throw off your dog’s diet without you noticing. If you make your own at home, that of course requires you to calculate what you’re putting in there, and some dog apps can help you with this so you have a clearer view.
That doesn’t mean treats are bad, it’s actually quite the opposite if measured appropriately. They can also be useful tools for training, bonding, and supporting digestion or dental health. But too many, especially the wrong kind, can lead to gradual weight gain, stomach issues, or just less interest in regular meals because the snacks are more exciting. So keep an eye on it if you can.
When Is the Best Time to Give Treats?
The answer to “when can I give treats to my dog,” depends on what you’re treating them for. If you’re using treats to reward specific behaviors such as crate training, recall, or just getting through a nail trim while they’re initially quite hesitant, the timing can change.
You want to offer the treat within a second or two of the desired behavior so your dog connects the dots. That’s where tiny, soft treats shine because each one will inspire them to keep behaving well for another.. You can dish out a few during a session this way without making them feel tired or bloated.
If you can, try and keep your treating schedule to purpose-filled approaches like this as opposed to just doing so because you love them. That’s what the healthy meals you give them are for. That said, if it’s their birthday, you can indulge them with a small amount.
Also, remember that mixing them with toys can help you keep them engaged in training without necessarily feeding them each and every time they roll over.
Should You Mix Up The Types Of Treats Given?
You could think of it like your own snacking, as if you ate nothing but granola bars, you'd eventually get sick of it (and maybe a little sluggish too). Dogs might eat anything and everything, but it’s nice to care for them and mix up the nutrition for health purposes.
It’s wise to have a few categories of treats, then, such as high-value ones for training (small, smelly, soft), chewy or dental-style ones for their teeth care, and maybe a few crunchy or low-calorie veggie-based options to fill in the gaps. You can even make your own oven baked ones at home, or purchase them from reputable brands such as Bender’s Bakery.
Can Treats Replace Part Of My Dog’s Usual Meals?
They can, in a way, but it needs to be done with a little planning. Some owners use a portion of their dog’s usual kibble or biscuits as training rewards throughout the day. That way, you’re not really adding anything to their diet, just redistributing it to fit your routine. Just make sure they still have enough for a substantive meal later.
If you're feeding a treat-heavy day (say, during an hour-long training class or lots of play outside), it might make sense to cut back slightly on one of their meals. Just not too much, and not frequently. Most of your dog’s nutrition should still come from their main meals, since treats aren’t usually fortified the same way, unless you’ve used the aforementioned baked options.
Such baked options can sometimes be used as “mini meals”, if they’ve been baked with full, whole ingredients like meat and vegetables, so at least if you’re giving them more than usual, they’re getting something of nutritional value in return. This is especially helpful for older dogs or picky eaters who may be a little set in their eating habits, or who prefer a more natural and organic smell.
How Do You Know If You’re Overdoing It?
Sometimes the question isn’t just “how many treats can I give my dog?” but “am I giving too many treats to them?” The scale will tell you about the appropriate healthy dog treat quantity eventually, but hopefully, it doesn’t get to that point. Signs of too many treats (or too much rich food in general) will certainly include weight gain, softer stools, skipping meals, and changes in energy level. If your dog starts sniffing their regular food and walking away, it might be a sign they’re more than happy with your treat schedule. It might not be that this is good for them, though.
Another clue is how your dog behaves around treat times, as if they’re obsessively fixated on the treat jar (hey, we can all relate), to the point where they begin ignoring other types of rewards (like play or affection), it might be time to reset the balance and scale back a bit.
What About Low-Calorie Alternatives?
There are some great options out there that don’t stuff your dog with calories but they’ll still appreciate and will serve the same purpose, provided you remember to avoid chocolate or raisins or anything else dogs don’t agree with.
Some examples of this can include baby carrots, green beans, and bits of cucumber, which work well for some dogs.
Just remember that not every dog loves veggies, and not every veggie agrees with every dog. If you can begin trying a few out and seeing what works, but always Google if it’s suitable or not, as onions, garlic, leeks, and chives should never be fed to them. However, blueberries or a bit of pumpkin will no doubt go down a treat. All of the recommended options here can be less calories than a larger treat. In some cases, like with small pieces of celery, the calories can be negligible. Though of course, don’t stuff them full just because of that.
Treats are meant to be fun, helpful, and rewarding for both you and your dog. If you use them with care, they can help you train good habits, deepen your bond with your little furry friend, and make daily routines more routine, such as not making nail-cutting time as much of an issue. But like anything food-related, it’s easy to do too much without meaning to, especially when those puppy eyes are involved.
If you’re ever unsure, check the calorie info on your dog’s food and treats, do a bit of math, and adjust as needed. You can always use Bender’s Bakery to ensure you have the best, healthiest and organic treats on hand.